Red Book Online Outbreaks: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes

Overview

As of January 19, 2024, this outbreak is over.

As of  December 15, 2023, a total of 302 people have been infected in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to cantaloupes. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 16, 2023 to November 28, 2023.  Of the 263 people with information available, 129 (49%) have been hospitalized and four deaths have been reported. 26% of illnesses are in children 5 years and younger.

CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick. Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.

Clinical Guidance

• Presentation: Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms typically start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
• Who is at highest risk/complications: The incidence of Salmonella infection is highest in children younger than 4 years of age. In the United States, rates of invasive infections and mortality are higher in infants, elderly people, and people with hemoglobinopathies (including sickle cell disease) and immunocompromising conditions (eg, malignant neoplasms, HIV infection).
• Patients should be seen by their pediatrician if they present with the following symptoms of Salmonella infection:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Not tolerating oral liquids
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Decreased urine output
    • Dry mucous membranes
    • Orthostatic hypotension
• Diagnosis: Isolation of Salmonella organisms from cultures of stool, blood, urine, bile (including duodenal fluid containing bile), and material from foci of infection is diagnostic. Salmonella gastroenteritis is diagnosed by stool culture or molecular testing (including PCR); stool testing should be obtained in all children with bloody diarrhea or unexplained persistent or severe diarrhea. See Red Book Salmonella diagnostic tests.
• Risk Mitigation: People should follow these food safety steps to prevent getting sick from Salmonella.
  • Check freezers and refrigerators for recalled products, which should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
  • Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Treatment: Antimicrobial therapy usually is not indicated for patients with either asymptomatic infection or uncomplicated gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella, because therapy does not shorten the duration of diarrheal disease, can prolong duration of fecal shedding, and increases symptomatic relapse rate. Antimicrobial therapy is recommended for gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella in people at increased risk for invasive disease, including infants younger than 3 months and people with chronic gastrointestinal tract disease, malignant neoplasms, hemoglobinopathies, HIV infection, or other immunosuppressive illnesses or therapies. Antibiotics should also be considered for those experiencing severe symptoms such as severe diarrhea or prolonged or high fever. If antimicrobial therapy is initiated in patients in the United States with presumed or proven Salmonella gastroenteritis, a blood and a stool culture should be obtained prior to antibiotic administration. Most cases of Salmonella gastroenteritis are treated empirically. If the person appears ill or has evidence of disseminated infection, hospitalization along with initiation of a broad spectrum parenteral cephalosporin often is prescribed. Oral antimicrobials, such as azithromycin may be considered for patients who do not appear ill or have evidence of disseminated infection. If cultures are obtained, definitive therapy should be based on the susceptibility of the organism isolated.
• Reporting: Suspected cases should be reported to the local department of public health.

Resources

• For more information see the Red Book chapters on:
  • Salmonella Infections
  • Prevention of Infectious Disease From Contaminated Food Products